On December 26, Boxing Day is widely celebrated in England and some countries of the British Commonwealth of Nations: New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Samoa and Kiribati. Recently the holiday appeared in Norway. There is no such tradition in Russia yet. On the second day of Christmas, St. Stephen's Day is celebrated. And Boxing Day is often associated with this holiday, they are so closely intertwined. However, these are two different stories. Although, for those celebrating, this is a great reason to continue family meetings. Boxing Day literally translates to “Boxing Day,” probably because of the containers in which holiday gifts are usually packaged. The history of its appearance goes back quite deeply, but it was declared a day off and given official status only in the last century. There are several assumptions regarding the origin of the holiday, but they all have a charitable background. At Christmas, gifts were exchanged between family members, relatives and friends. And the very next day people from needy families received treats and gifts. Everything that was brought to church for Christmas was distributed to the poor. Noble people gave gifts to their domestic workers and servants. Merchants - traders and assistants; workers received gifts in factories. Each enterprise owner tried to encourage his employees. They were given a day off and bonuses were given. In the old days, fox hunting was traditionally held, and English nobles, dressed in scarlet uniforms, mounted horses. Now hunting is prohibited, but in memory of the tradition, spectacular horse races are organized in many countries. In general, a lot of sports competitions are held on December 26th. This is how annual yacht races and cricket matches begin in Australia. Today the holiday is distinguished by colossal sales. Every store, from a small shop to a huge shopping center, reduces the cost of its goods by half. Only on Boxing Day you can buy any products with a 50% discount. Therefore, on December 26, trade is three times faster than before Christmas. Every person wants to present as many souvenirs as possible to their colleagues and acquaintances. The British are distinguished by increased attention to their colleagues, acquaintances, and neighbors. Therefore, they try to congratulate everyone, and, if not give a gift, then at least write a few warm words. On this day, the country's postmen deliver more than a billion postcards to recipients.

Gambling helps a person relieve stress, gain a boost of energy and, if fortune is favorable, earn money. Someone makes a bet with friends, buys a lottery, places bets in bookmakers, or “paints a bullet” in a circle of like-minded people. Fans of slot machines, dice and cards go to the casino. Its queen is considered to be roulette, which even Napoleon played. December 26 is the International Day of the Croupier - an employee of a gambling establishment who takes bets and gives out winnings. In Russia, representatives of this profession are called dealers in the English manner. The first casinos appeared in the Roman Empire in the 6th century. BC, in Europe - more than 300 years ago. They were staffed by specially trained people, bankers who spun the roulette wheel, distributed cards for playing poker and Blackjack, and monitored gambling house clients. In Russia they were opened 100 years later and, despite the protests of the church, quickly gained popularity as a good way for rich people to spend their leisure time. The state of euphoria of casino visitors and the sad results of uncontrolled excitement are described in the works of classics - “The Queen of Spades” by A.S. Pushkin and “The Player” by F.M. Dostoevsky. And the poet himself was a notorious gambler. After his death, the widow was left with debts of 120 thousand rubles. - an astronomical amount for that time. The peak of development of the gambling business in the Russian Federation occurred in the mid-90s and early 2000s. In 2006, the turnover of funds in this area amounted to $5 billion. In July 2009, a ban was issued on the operation of casinos, which, according to the law adopted by the Duma, can only exist in certain territories. Thus, in the USA, gambling houses are located in Las Vegas, in Europe - Monte Carlo, in China - Macau. In Russia, casinos are part of four special zones located in Sochi, the Kaliningrad region, the Primorsky Territory and Altai. Gambling is a lucrative business that includes income not only from customer bets, but also from hotels, restaurants and 24-hour bars. The profession of a croupier is in great demand. Dealers form the backbone of the staff of any gambling establishment. Unlike other casino employees, they have a set of specific knowledge. A professional banker is distinguished by a special placement of his fingers. Thus, the dealer must be able to easily pick up a stack of 20 gaming chips in his hand and throw a roulette ball using one of the throwing techniques: straight, reverse, wrist or flick. The first dealer school was opened in Moscow in 1993 by Englishman Ian Livingstone. Later other establishments began to open. Their training lasts 2-5 months depending on the chosen program. After completing courses and croupier schools, graduates begin working in casinos as a chipper (groups chips by color and denomination, sorts decks of cards by suit and seniority), dealer (plays poker, roulette, baccarat, craps, etc.) or inspector (monitors the work of colleagues and the behavior of clients of the establishment). ATMs work all night long. Their profession requires great psychological endurance and self-control. The dealer must be sociable, be able to sense the atmosphere at the table, show sympathy for the losing player and inadvertently push him to make new bets. Yes, dealers, in the interests of the casino, create the illusion of good fortune among visitors, but the decision to play or not is still made by the client. The croupiers help him catch his luck by the tail and try his luck at roulette or blackjack, in whose honor International Croupier Day is celebrated on December 26th.

The need for the formation of air defense troops arose during the First World War due to the emergence of new types of weapons. Since then, air defense has been protecting soldiers and army equipment from enemy missiles and aircraft for more than a hundred years. And if earlier these were controlled balloons and hot air balloons, today they are fighter-bombers and stealth aircraft. Every year on December 26, Russia celebrates the Day of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces. The choice of date for the identity is not accidental. It was on December 26, 1915 that the chief of staff under Nicholas I, General M. Alekseev, issued order No. 368 on the formation of batteries to conduct artillery fire on enemy aircraft. Air defense units made a huge contribution both to the defense of the army of the Russian Empire in the First World War and to the defeat of fascist troops. The troops especially distinguished themselves during the defense of Moscow from the raids of the German invaders. In peacetime, the USSR air defense was entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the state border. Since 1975, Soviet military personnel have celebrated their professional holiday annually on April 11. After the release of a new decree of the Supreme Council in 1980, Air Defense Forces Day began to be celebrated on the second Sunday in April. And even the collapse of the USSR did not prevent the continuation of the glorious tradition. In modern Russia, there are two types of air defense troops: the first belongs to the military-space complex, protecting the borders of our Motherland, the second is part of the Ground Forces. The Russian Aerospace Forces holiday falls on October 4th. On December 26, according to a long-standing tradition, veterans and serving military personnel celebrate the Day of the Air Defense Forces. In 1915, the artillery batteries of the tsarist army were armed with only light cannons. They were installed on “anti-aircraft rotating frames for firing at air targets.” Three-inch mountain and rapid-fire guns, as well as a 48-line howitzer, repelled attacks by German and Austria-Hungarian airplanes. Experimental shooting was carried out at aerial schooners and balloons that moved on horses. By the end of World War I, the army of the Russian Empire already had 25 batteries, which were armed with anti-aircraft guns on automobile chassis and railway platforms. Air defense units of the Army today are equipped with modern missile and gun systems, self-propelled guns and anti-aircraft systems. With the help of this technique, groups of the Russian Ground Forces and rear facilities are reliably protected from air attacks. Air defense systems hit enemy targets located at extremely low altitudes, medium altitudes and in the stratosphere. Thus, the RKS S-300VM Antey-2500 can intercept both stealth aircraft and short- and medium-range missiles. The systems and complexes "TOR-M2", "Igla-S", "Shilka", "Strela-10M3", "Triumph" have excellent characteristics. Modern air defense troops are an example of the highest maneuverability, fire performance, viability, degree of automation and computerization. Soldiers and officers serve their Motherland with honor. Therefore, on December 26, they are heartily congratulated on the Day of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces.

According to Indian beliefs, a dream trap protects a person from evil spirits. Nightmares become entangled in a web woven from threads located in the center of the amulet. I want to see prophetic and good dreams as often as possible, delving into their content and deciphering hidden signs. Watching night visions not only brings pleasure, but also brings benefits. Thanks to the dream of D.I. Mendeleev understood how chemical elements should be arranged in the periodic table, and A. Einstein developed the theory of relativity. Amazing discoveries and unexpected revelations should not be wasted. That's why Dream Hunting Day is celebrated on December 26th. In the church calendar, this date falls on Eustratian Day, popularly known as the Witches' Gatherings. After December 22, the winter solstice, the nights become shorter, and sorcerers and representatives of the infernal world do not like this. The witches want the darkness to linger longer in the sky and the light to disappear, so they send blizzards and snow storms onto the earth. Therefore, on December 26, the Eastern Slavs performed rituals to protect against dark forces: they hung spruce branches around the house, and placed an ax or sickle at the front door with the point up. White horses were left in the stall on this day, because... riding them promised trouble. It was not customary to use foul language or swearing at Witches' gatherings. From hearing the abuse, the devil flying to the Sabbath could fall off her broom and take the person with her out of anger. It is believed that witches gathered in the house of the elder witch, entering through a chimney or turning into a black dog. The success of their divination was evidenced by a blizzard and heavy snowfall, which began on December 26. It was noted that people often have prophetic dreams at Witches’ gatherings. Therefore, an unusual holiday appeared, calling for the hunt for night visions. “Martyr Eustratus is glad for the sun. The day has increased, at least by the leap of a sparrow,” - in this and other jokes people expressed joy that the number of sunny hours in a day was beginning to gradually increase. The ancient Slavs had great respect for the natural elements and cycles on which their livelihoods depended. From December 25, rituals were held in honor of Kolyada, the god of the young Sun, born on the longest night of the year. Our ancestors lit fires in the courtyards, held carols, sang songs and danced. It is no coincidence that Dream Hunt Day is celebrated in winter. During the cold season, due to the cold and lack of sun, vitality decreases; you want to lie down even during daylight hours. It is believed that during the daytime nap and night rest on December 26, unusual or prophetic dreams should be seen. You need to have time to “catch” them, remembering them or writing them down on paper after waking up.

Saint Stephen is the first Christian martyr to accept Jesus Christ as messiah and savior. St. Stephen's Day is celebrated by Christian Catholics on the first day after Christmas, which is celebrated by Catholics and Protestants from December 24 to 25. It is believed that Stephen is the first follower of Christ, so his memory is given a date close to Christmas. During his life, Saint Stephen was a preacher, and tried to convey the word of Christ to a large audience, among whom were mainly Jews. For imposing a “false doctrine,” the Jews stoned Stephen to death. Today in the Catholic world this day is celebrated joyfully and with light in the soul. In many European countries, St. Stephen's Day is an official public holiday, and all citizens have a day off on this day. It is worth noting that in countries with the Catholic religion, St. Stephen has different meanings. Thus, in Austria and England, St. Stephen is the patron saint of animals, especially horses. In temples, hay and oats are illuminated on this day. In Ireland, this day marks the start of the Christmas Horse Racing Festival at the Hippodrome in Dublin. In Italy, on St. Stephen's Day, a carnival holiday called Putignano begins, which lasts until Maslenitsa. During the carnival, residents and artists sing songs, read poems, dance, and dress up in costumes. The holiday has a religious basis. Everywhere, all over the world, on St. Stephen's Day it is customary to give each other gifts. In English, this tradition is called Boxing Day. On this day, shopping is organized, promotions and discounts are held in shopping centers. In Catholic churches, the evening service is special. The priests tell the parishioners the story of the life and martyrdom of St. Stephen, and bring glory to his kind and brave Christian heart. During the service, prayers to St. Stephen are read and hymns are sung in his honor. At the end of the service, believers accept both sorrow and triumph, since St. Stephen is a symbol of sincere and faithful service to the Christian faith and Jesus Christ.

Kwanzaa is an African-American festival in the United States that traditionally begins to be celebrated on December 26th. Celebrations continue until January 1st. It is believed that this is a time of unity and friendship between peoples. The word "Kwanzaa" means "the first fruit of the harvest." This festival was first held during the intense struggle of African Americans for their rights to freedom and sovereignty in 1966-1967. During the holiday week, festival participants traditionally gather every evening for dinner and light candles, which are the symbol of Kwanzaa. Each evening discusses one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa leadership on which the African tradition is based. And the principles are as follows: self-determination, work and team responsibility, unified economy, pursuit of goals, creativity, faith. During the festival, the interior of the house is decorated with African decorations in the form of colorful fabrics. The main symbols associated with the Kwanzaa festival are: a candlestick with seven candles, reflecting the seven principles, a straw rootstock, the harvest of fruits and vegetables, and ears of grain, reflecting the number of children. During the celebration, millions of African Americans celebrate their cultural heritage, but most of all, it is a family celebration. The name Kwanzaa comes from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza", which means "first fruits" in Swahili. Every family celebrates Kwanzaa differently, but celebrations often include song and dance, African drumming, storytelling, poetry readings, and a large traditional meal. On each of the seven nights, the family gathers and the child lights one of the candles on the Kinara (candlestick), then one of the seven principles is discussed. The principles, called Nguzo Saba (seven principles in Swahili), are values ​​of African culture that promote the creation and strengthening of community among African Americans. Kwanzaa also has seven main symbols that represent values ​​and concepts that reflect African culture.

Growing up in Greenland, Smilla Jaspersen, the main character of the novel by Danish writer Peter Heg, distinguished up to 70 types of snow and ice. For each of them, the Eskimo language has its own name. With the arrival of winter, the first crystals of frozen water, appearing at a temperature of -1.8 ℃ on the surface of the Greenland Sea, are broken by waves and form a viscous mass called grease ice. Its individual particles eventually combine into a monolithic layer. The Eskimos call it pancake ice. Snow on lands located close to the North Pole varies in density, height, color and other parameters. Residents of megacities are deprived of the pleasure of admiring the various types of ice crystals settling on trees and houses. The high heat transfer of concrete buildings, cars and asphalt roads leads to rapid melting of snow. Citizens can enjoy its splendor and whiteness only during times of weather anomalies. In honor of one of them, the Deep Snow Festival was established, which is celebrated on December 26. On this day, crowds of children pour out into the streets, falling with all their might onto the fluffy white blanket that covers the ground. Children play snowballs, build towers and sculpt figures of animals and people from tiny ice crystals. Adults also take to the streets in honor of the holiday, clearing snow from footpaths and paths. Snowstorms, blizzards and meter-long snowdrifts create a lot of problems for the work of public utilities and public transport. However, snow is very important for winter plants. It nourishes the earth with moisture and protects it from deep freezing. It’s not for nothing that people say: “The snow is deep - the harvest is good.” High snowdrifts protect the ground from wind erosion and create a strategic reserve of moisture in the soil, which plants actively use in the spring. The thickness of the cover determines the yield of berry crops: currant bushes, gooseberries and raspberries. Deep snow helps not only pears, apple trees and other garden trees to withstand frosts down to -35 ℃, but also animals. Black grouse and field mice spend the winter under a snow-white blanket, and bears and badgers live in dens and burrows. In severe cold, snow becomes the only source of life-giving moisture for moose, deer and other wild artiodactyls. Snowflakes falling from the sky and high snowdrifts are an excellent reason to take a walk and admire the beauty of nature, the enjoyment of which is not available to everyone. According to statistics, 50% of the world's inhabitants have never seen snow. Residents of Russia have the opportunity to observe it in large quantities in winter and early spring. Thus, in the Krasnaya Polyana area in Sochi, on Mount Achishkho, snowdrifts 10 meters high are formed in one season. Snow-white cover brings joy and benefits to everyone: from children and gardeners to alpine skiers. Therefore, residents of the Krasnodar Territory and other regions of Russia celebrate the Deep Snow Festival with pleasure.

On December 26 (December 13, old style), according to the popular calendar, Eustratius Day is celebrated, named in honor of the church day of remembrance of the Great Martyr Eustratius of Sebaste. In addition to him, the church honors the memory of the martyrs Eugene, Mardarius, Auxentius and Orestes, who died for their faith in Jesus Christ. In the 4th century, many Christians suffered from persecution, so their faith in the Almighty had to be hidden in order to avoid death. But some revered the Creator so much that they considered it treason to tell a lie. One of these righteous people was Auxentius, a priest of the Arabian Church. He was tortured for Christianity, forcing him to convert to paganism. Seeing the tolerance of the martyr, the military leader of the city, Sebastius Evstratiy, believed in one God and openly declared this. Then Eustratius was tortured and burned alive at the stake, and Auxentius was beheaded. The warrior Orestes was captured along with Eustratius. They laid him on hot metal, where the martyr accepted death. Shocked by what he saw, the Christian Mardarius declared himself a supporter of Christ with great self-denial, for which he was immediately hanged upside down to death. The same devoted city dweller Evgeniy was beheaded, having previously cut off his tongue and limbs. People called the Eustratian day the Witches' Gatherings, believing that witches met in one place with the goal of capturing the sun and removing it forever. This belief was caused by snow blizzards, which were associated with evil spirits and other evil spirits. With the onset of darkness, evil spirits flew out on brooms to raise a blizzard and sweep away the heavenly bodies. Therefore, women strictly ensured that the street broom used to sweep away snow from clothes was hidden in the house. Otherwise, the evil spirits would steal the broom for their dirty deeds. On the day of the Witches' gatherings, people were forbidden to swear or use foul language, because upon hearing swearing, the witches could come to the culprit and take him away with them. There were rituals to help get rid of witches: housewives would deliberately drop a catch near the stove to prevent witchcraft, or put the stove door on the other side so that the witches would lose their way home. But it was not recommended to set off on horses, especially on a white horse. The population believed that this would bring big problems to the house or worse, the death of household members. But on Eustatius Day one could improve one’s health by touching the great and small bells in the bell tower and calling the name of the sick person. Signs helped to know the coming weather. Galloping magpies in the snow foreshadowed warmer weather. A frosty January was expected if clear sunny skies were seen on the day of Eustratius. Based on the next 11 days, the weather was determined for the year ahead - each day was like each month.

Independence and Unity Day of Slovenia

Orthodox holidays on December 26:

Memorial Day of the Martyr Eustratius

Memorial Day of St. Arseny of Latria